SCIAC’s AQ goes to La Verne

LA VERNE, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team came up short in the "if necessary" Championship Game of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament. The host, the University of La Verne, came back from a three-run deficit to win 4-3and earn the SCIAC's automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament.

The Athenas got on the board in the first as yet another RBI got tacked onto Carly Roleder's (CMC) total. Reeve Grobecker (CMC) led off with a textbook bunt single and then was moved around and eventually driven in by Roleder on a single through the left side.

Play was suspended due to weather in the middle of Briana Halle's (CMC) at bat in the top of the first. After a few thunder clouds passed overhead, the game resumed about an hour later. The clouds never threatened again and the game was completed without any more interruption.

The Athenas got two more across in the top of the third thanks to a double to left center by Abigail Metsch (SC). ULV's pitcher Elisa Ponce had walked two aboard and Halle was able to make it all the way around from first to give CMS the 3-0 advantage.

As they had all season, the Athenas played solid defense behind their work horse pitcher in the middle innings. The third was another three-up, three-down inning and then Chloe Amarilla (CMC) ended the fourth with a catch on a deep foul to strand three Leopards on base.

La Verne continued the pressure in the fifth with a one-out double from Shelby Tevis. Three batters later, Alexis Schiff cleared the bases with a long single to left center and brought ULV within one run. Gurr then froze Sienna Kendricks for the final out of the inning and her fifth strikeout of the game.

The CMS offense was unable to extend their narrow lead in the top of the sixth or seventh and as the home team, La Verne got their last at bats in the bottom of the seventh. Two runners got on base and then were driven in by Rachel Ogata for the walk-off victory and SCIAC Tournament title.

The Athenas end the season at 22-20. On the weekend, Gurr threw all 27 innings to catcher Chloe Rodman (CMC) behind the plate. Despite allowing 10 earned runs in five games, she still finished the season with a 0.90 ERA.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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